GBA Update Summer 2025

the Municipality of Killarney. These municipal engagements reflect the widespread recognition that Georgian Bay’s future requires thoughtful, unified action. To ensure this happens, we have asked each municipality to have a councillor join our Vision 2050 Advisory Council. Partnering With Indigenous Communities Vision 2050 recognizes that meaningful conservation in the region must include Indigenous partnerships, knowledge, and consultation. As a part of our outreach, we engage with the many Indigenous communities. Indigenous perspectives are essential to understanding the region’s land, water, and biodiversity. Our policy framework encourages two-eyed seeing by incorporating traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and scientific and planning expertise. By engaging with First Nations, we hope to collaborate on developing an effective plan for enhanced conservation and stewardship of the region while contributing to the vitality of their communities. Influential Advisory Council for Leading Stakeholders Launched We have formed an Advisory Council of leading Georgian Bay experts and special knowledge stakeholders to guide our work. This group brings extensive experience in environmental and conservation protection, land use, municipal governance, and legal frameworks. The Council will ensure the initiative is grounded in consultation, credibility, and collaboration. Members to date include:  Councillor Peter Cooper, TGB  Neil Davis, municipal planning and land development lawyer, Former GBLT President  Councillor Peter Frost, ToA  Bill Lougheed, Former Executive Director, GBLT

Why This Work Matters Georgian Bay is not just a beautiful landscape, it is a UNESCO World Biosphere Region, home to endangered species, sensitive ecosystems, Indigenous communities and one of the world’s largest freshwater archipelagos. Yet, it lacks a regional policy framework to protect it from mounting development, pollution, and climate change pressures. With the GTA expected to grow 50 per cent by 2050, the need for a sustainable, conservation-based regional vision has never been greater. Ontario has existing frameworks for regional conservation, like the Greenbelt and Niagara Escarpment plans. Those models may not be the right approach for Georgian Bay, but it deserves similar engagement and protection. Outreach to Key Stakeholders Continues Vision 2050 has carried out extensive outreach to key organizations and stakeholders, including the Georgian Bay Biosphere (GBB), Georgian Bay Forever (GBF), and Georgian Bay Land Trust (GBLT), the aspiring Georgian Bay Geopark, and the Severn Sound Environmental Association (SSEA). Collaborating with these partners and others is essential to building consensus on a sound framework. GBA Makes Successful Delegations to Coastal Municipalities To ensure Vision 2050 reflects the needs and values of Georgian Bay communities, we have been engaging municipal stakeholders across the region. These relationships are critical to building support for policy change and advocacy at all levels of government. In late 2024, we presented to the Township of Georgian Bay (TGB) Council and successfully secured a $10,000 grant for the project. We are sincerely grateful for the Township’s continued support. Over the winter and into the spring, we presented to the Township of The Archipelago (ToA), the Municipality of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands, Carling Township, and

 Greg Mason, Director of Operations, GBB  David Sweetnam, Executive Director, GBF

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Private Islands, Acreages & Cottages Servicing Northern Georgian Bay including Killarney, McGregor Bay and Bay of Islands since 1984.

PHIL CHANDLER Real Estate

Phil@PhilChandler.com 705• 583• 2015 www.PhilChandler.com

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Summer 2025 • GBA UPDATE